Filipino chessers halt S Africans, breach Top 10

The Philippines drubbed South Africa, 3.5-.5, to zoom to the top 10 in the men’s side even as the women’s squad waylaid Algeria, 4-0, to barge into the top- 20 after five rounds of the 42nd World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan Monday night.

Grandmasters Julio Catalino Sadorra, Eugene Torre and Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. each won their game on boards one, three and four while GM John Paul Gomez split the point with IM Daniel Cawdery on second board to leapfrog to a 19-team group at No. 7 with eight points apiece.

The Filipinos were now just two points off leaders India, Netherlands and Ukraine and a point behind Czech Republic, Georgia and second seed United States, a team that includeds former teammate GM Wesley So, who has long migrated to represent the Americans.

The 11- round Swiss System tournament took a breather yesterday and action will resume today with the Phl facing 12th seed Norway, a team spearheaded by reigning world champion GM Magnus Carlsen, in the sixth round.

The women’s side was more impressive as WIMs Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Catherine Secopito and WFM Shanian Mae Mendoza all won their games against WIMs Sabrina Latreche, Amina Mezioud, Amira Hamza and Hayat Toubal, respectively.

The Filipinas thus leapfrogged to a 14-team group at 17th spot with seven points each and could gatecrash into the top 10 if they could hurdle the Mexicans, who are ranked just 57th against the former’s 46th.

GM Jayson Gonzales, the National Chess Federation of the Phl executive director and women’s team captain, said they would take the one- day off to relax, pray and make some preparations.

“We need all the rest the players can get while praying and preparing on the side,” said Gonzales through Viber.

The Filipinos’ victory also marked the return of US-based Sadorra, who took a 62- move victory over GM Kenny Solomon in their NimzoIndian game after he was confined in the hospital for two days due to headaches.

Sadorra will have his hands full though when he faces Carlsen, whose rating of 2852 (No. 1) is way above the former’s 2560.

Torre, 64, continued to turn back time as he used his exceptional endgame skills to the hilt anew to outlast IM Watu Kobese in 51 moves of Reti Opening to remain undefeated with 4.5 points out of the possible five.